Councillor Chris Harris

On Wednesday July 25th in the Land and Environment court counsel for Minister Frank Sartor stunned the packed courtroom with the extraordinary statement that the 2300 cars approved for the Carlton United Brewery (CUB) development was consistent with reducing climate change.

Deputy Lord Mayor Greens Cr. Chris Harris: “I’m not sure if this was a joke or counsel for the Minister thought they were in la-la land rather than a court of law. Either way to stand up in court and pronounce that 2300 cars would help reduce rather than increase our greenhouse emissions is unacceptable.”

The Minister’s counsel denied that the Minister is obliged to take ESD (Environmental Sustainable Development) considerations into account in making a decision under Part 3A. Counsel also argued that ESD guidelines were there to encourage not necessarily achieve sustainability.

“In other words according to the Minister, developments are encouraged but not obliged to include ESD principles and the Minister doesn’t have to consider ESD if he doesn’t want to. I guess this helps you understand the Minister’s view that 2300 cars is an environmental legacy rather than an environmental disaster” Cr. Harris said